Allahabad High Court Grants Bail To Man Accused Of Sharing FB Post Showing PM Modi Apologising To Pakistan After 'Op Sindoor'
The Allahabad High Court has granted bail to one Shahrukh Khan, who was accused of sharing a controversial Facebook video allegedly showing edited visuals of Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologising to Pakistan amid the context of Indo-Pak tensions. A bench of Justice Krishan Pahal passed the order without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, on the condition that the...
The Allahabad High Court has granted bail to one Shahrukh Khan, who was accused of sharing a controversial Facebook video allegedly showing edited visuals of Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologising to Pakistan amid the context of Indo-Pak tensions.
A bench of Justice Krishan Pahal passed the order without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, on the condition that the accused shall not tamper with the evidence during the trial and appear before the trial court on the date fixed.
Allegations As Per FIR
The FIR alleged that the main accused (Ashraf Khan) edited and posted videos related to the India-Pakistan conflict, wherein PM Modi was depicted alongside a donkey cart carrying an aircraft and shown apologising to Pakistan.
The videos also allegedly portrayed Wing Commander Vyomika Singh being humiliated before the Pakistani Army Chief. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was also allegedly depicted placing lemons on a Rafale jet, which was then shown being destroyed by Pakistan.
The FIR claimed that another video was posted showing Pakistan Air Force jets shooting down Indian aircraft and blowing up PM Modi mid-air with a missile.
The FIR alleged that these acts were stated to be seditious, inciting war against the Indian government, and aimed at endangering India's sovereignty, unity, and integrity.
During the bail hearing, counsel for the applicant (Shahrukh Khan), who was arrested on May 16, argued that he was not named in the FIR and the main allegations concerned Ashraf Khan, who had allegedly uploaded the objectionable content.
It was argued that the accused was merely accused of sharing the video. It was further contended that he had nothing to do with the offence and that his account had been misused by somebody else.
Although the Additional Government Advocate opposed the bail application, he did not dispute the submissions made on behalf of the applicant.
Court's order
At the outset, the single judge referred to the Supreme Court's observation in Prabhakar Tewari vs. State of UP 2020, wherein it was held that mere pendency of several criminal cases cannot be a ground to deny bail.
Thus, considering the facts and circumstances of the case, submissions made by counsel for the parties and without expressing any opinion on the merit of the case, the Court found it a fit case to release the applicant on bail.
In related news, the Allahabad High Court last week rejected the bail plea of a man accused of sharing objectionable and provocative content on Facebook targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi while glorifying Pakistan.
A bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh observed that the alleged posts appeared to 'ridicule' Indian leadership and promote a narrative contrary to the interest of national sovereignty, unity and integrity.
Case title - Shahrukh Khan vs. State of U.P. 2025 LiveLaw (AB) 297
Case Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (AB) 297